The Middle Patuxent Environmental Area (MPEA) volunteer program seeks to increase citizen interest and participation in the management of the Area’s natural resources by providing opportunities for environmental education and outdoor time through a variety volunteer project activities.

Invasive Species Control Programs:
Conservation Stewardship Project
Invasions of non-native, invasive plants are the second greatest threat to native species after direct habitat destruction. A working partnership with the Howard County Master Gardeners has been formed to tackle invasive plants in the MPEA. Monthly invasive species control work days will be scheduled for March through November, on the 4th Tuesday of each month and some Saturdays, skipping July & August.

Weed Warriors:
Qualified volunteers are taught about the identification and control methods for non-native, invasive plants. Upon completion of two mandatory training classes, participants are assigned tasks to complete independently. Weed Warriors must be comfortable working alone or in small groups and also adhere to strict guidelines.

Trail Maintenance Programs:
There are 5.4 miles of hiking trails in the MPEA. Volunteers are needed to assist with the maintenance of these primitive, foot-traffic only trails. Most of the trail work consists of pruning back vegetation that encroaches upon the trail system. The basis for all of our trail maintenance is found in our trail management protocol. Participants may choose to attend Group Work Sessions supervised by MPEA staff or attend mandatory training classes to become an Independent Trail Maintenance Volunteer.

Nest Box Monitoring:
There are currently 26 nest boxes in the MPEA that were installed for use by bluebirds and other native, cavity-nesting birds. We utilize volunteers to monitor and maintain these boxes in our wildlife clearing areas, Clegg's meadow, and other grassland restoration plots. Volunteer Nest Box Monitors must also enter the data they collect into the Cornell Lab of Ornithology NestWatch online database. Sue Muller in the Natural Resources Division runs this program County-wide.

Butterfly Counts:
Richard Smith, Howard County Bird Club, and Sue Muller, Howard Co. Dept. of Recreation and Parks, are conducting an on-going survey of county butterflies. The main goal of the surveys is to track changes in population over a long period. The surveys of individual sites will be conducted as frequently as every two weeks or as infrequently as once a month from mid-April through mid-October. Each observer or group will have his/their own survey site. Survey dates and times will be of each observer’s or group’s choosing. Time spent can be as little as one hour or a half day or more depending on the site size and season. People of all skill levels are welcome.

For more information on how to participate, see the County’s Recreation & Parks - Natural Resource Management Section or contact MPEA Natural Resource Specialist Allen Dupre at adupre@howardcountymd.gov or 410-313-4035.